Laying the Groundwork: The Pre-Construction Process with Unshakeable Custom Homes

I believe the success of every custom home starts before the first nail is driven. In Star Valley and across western Wyoming, we design and engineer to handle heavy snow loads, high winds, seismic concerns, and a wide range of temperatures. That’s why our pre-construction process is so vital. It’s not just paperwork or another phase to “get through”, it’s where your 30,000 foot view becomes a practical, well-planned project with clear expectations for cost, quality, and schedule.

From a blank lot to a finished home, there's a lot of planning in-between.

Why the Pre-Construction Process Matters

Pre-construction is the bridge between your ideas and a buildable plan. It’s where we take your goals, your budget, and your site conditions and translate them into a detailed roadmap for construction. Skipping or rushing this step almost always leads to cost overruns, delays, and misunderstandings down the line. Done correctly, it does the opposite: it creates clarity, builds trust, and sets the tone for the entire project.

Now this isn't to say that things always move perfectly. We live in an imperfect world with all kinds of different people, different schedules, and different timelines. We do everything we can to get everyone on the same page, but sometimes we have to work with what we're given. We are building truly custom, one-of-a-kind homes, and that takes time to do right.

And because we emphasize collaboration and communication, we treat pre-construction as the first major deliverable to you as our client. Our goal is for you and I to be on the same page before ground is broken, so that construction runs as smoothly and efficiently as possible.

Understanding Your Vision

Every successful project begins with a deep understanding of what, and why, you want to build. During the early meetings, we’ll sit down with you to talk through lifestyle, design preferences, and long-term plans for the home. We’ll also discuss priorities like energy efficiency, material choices, and durability to ensure the finished home performs as well as it looks.

By getting clarity at this stage, we can align on the scope of work, budget parameters, and the level of finishes you’re expecting. This reduces guesswork later. By agreeing on an aesthetic vision early on, we can ensure that we're aligning with your goals throughout the building process.

Site Evaluation and Feasibility

Star Valley’s terrain and climate pose unique challenges, from sloped lots to frost depths and snow loads. As part of pre-construction, we evaluate the building site thoroughly: soil conditions, drainage patterns, access, orientation, and view corridors. This allows us to anticipate potential challenges and incorporate solutions into the design before they become costly surprises.

For example, we may recommend adjusting the footprint to take advantage of southern exposure for natural light and passive solar benefits, or to reduce excavation costs in rocky soil by utilizing different foundation types. These insights only come from taking the time to analyze the site up front.

A key part of this process is working with a surveyor to establish property boundaries and draw up a comprehensive site plan that helps with the early stages of building your home.

Design Development and Budgeting

With a clear vision and a well-understood site, we move into detailed planning. This includes working with drafts-people, architects or designers to finalize floor plans and design choices, as well as drafting a series of evolving, comprehensive budget that reflects real-world costs.

Because we operate on a cost-plus financial model with a fixed tiered management fee, transparency is built into our process. We’ll break down estimates into clear, understandable line items and keep you informed as decisions are made. This isn’t just about numbers; it’s about giving you control and confidence as your project takes shape.

So let's talk about costs. Our pre-construction process works off of a fixed retainer which is billed against bi-weekly (meaning twice per month) for the time it takes to work through this process with all the stakeholders involved. The total cost of that retainer is determined by the scope and complexity of your project.

Scheduling and Permitting

Once the design and budget are in place, we develop a preliminary schedule outlining milestones from permitting and excavation to framing, finishes, and final inspections. In Star Valley, Wyoming, where seasons dictate construction windows, scheduling is essential. By anticipating weather patterns and seasonal timelines, we minimize downtime and keep your project moving.

We’ll also handle coordination with local building departments to ensure the proper paperwork has been submitted and the building permits are obtained. Our goal throughout this process is to minimize the amount of stress on your end.

Setting Communication Channels

One of our core values at Unshakeable Custom Homes is communication. Pre-construction is when we establish how updates will be delivered, how change orders will be handled, and how you can track progress. Whether you prefer email updates, in-person meetings, or texts and phone calls, we’ll set up a system that keeps you informed without fatigue.

This proactive communication reduces stress for you and allows us to address questions or changes promptly before they impact the construction schedule.

The Payoff of a Strong Start

When pre-construction is thorough, construction itself becomes a predictable, coordinated process rather than a scramble. The sub-contractors show up knowing exactly what’s expected, materials arrive on schedule, and budgets stay on track. Most importantly, you get a finished home that reflects your original vision.

Why It Fits the Unshakeable Custom Homes Philosophy

Our name reflects our approach: solid, reliable, and built on trust. We’re not just building homes, we’re building relationships and long-term value for our clients. The pre-construction process is where that relationship takes shape. By investing time and attention up front, we make sure the building phase runs smoother, faster, and with fewer surprises.